Exercise device and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A compact and portable exercise device, that can comprise a base frame portion, a first lower support member coupled with a first side of the base frame portion and extending upward from the first side of the base frame portion, a second lower support member coupled with a second side of the base frame portion and extending upward from the second side of the base frame portion, a first upper support member coupled with the first lower support member, and a second upper support member coupled with the second lower support member. Some embodiments of the device can also have a first handle member extending away from a front surface of the first lower support member, a second handle member extending away from a front surface of the second lower support member, and/or a bar extending at least between the first upper support member and the second upper support member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/757,943, filed Nov. 9, 2018, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety. The benefit of priority is claimedunder the appropriate legal basis including, without limitation, under35 U.S.C. § 119(e).

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates to exercise equipment, in particular, to compact,multi-function strength training equipment.

BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

There is an increase in the number of cases of obesity in the UnitedStates, and an increase in the awareness of health and fitness. Everyyear, more people engage in physical exercise for improved health,physical appearance, and increased lifespan. Common strength trainingindoor exercise methods may include resistance bands, body weightexercise, such as pull-ups and suspension training, and weightresistance training, such as with dumbbells and other free weights. Arange of pull-up and home gym devices are available on the market. But,there are much fewer options for compact or portable training equipmentthat is multi-functional and freestanding—i.e., that provide multipledifferent training modalities for a user and which can be used withoutattachment to other support structures or support by other supportstructures (other than the ground). There exists a need formulti-functional strength training fitness equipment that is compact,portable, and free-standing.

SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a compact, portable,and multi-function strength training device. For example and withoutlimitation, some embodiments are directed to a compact and portableexercise device that can be used for a variety of exercises. Someembodiments of the device can have a base frame portion, a first lowersupport member coupled with a first side of the base frame portion andextending upward from the first side of the base frame portion, and asecond lower support member coupled with a second side of the base frameportion and extending upward from the second side of the base frameportion. The device can also have a first upper support member coupledwith the first lower support member and a second upper support membercoupled with the second lower support member. In some embodiments, atleast a lower portion of the first upper support member can be slidablyreceivable within an inside space of the first lower support member, andat least a lower portion of the second upper support member can beslidably receivable within an inside space of the second lower supportmember. Additionally, when the exercise device is in a collapsed state,the first upper support member can be almost entirely positioned withinthe inside space of the first lower support member and the second uppersupport member can be almost entirely positioned within the inside spaceof the second lower support member so as to minimize a height of thedevice when the device is in a collapsed state.

In any embodiments, the first upper support member can be selectivelysecurable in a plurality of positions relative to the first lowersupport member and the second upper support member can be selectivelysecurable in a plurality of positions relative to the second lowersupport member so that a height of the first and second upper supportmembers are selectively securable in a plurality of heights.Additionally, the first and second handle members can be configured tosupport a body weight of a user grasping the first and second handlemembers with his or her hands and to enable the user to performexercises.

In some embodiments, a first handle member can extend away from a frontsurface of the first lower support member, and a second handle membercan extend away from a front surface of the second lower support member.In any embodiments, the first handle member can extend away from thefront surface of the first lower support member near the top of thefirst lower support member. Additionally, any embodiments can have a barextending at least between the first upper support member and the secondupper support member.

Any embodiments of the exercise device disclosed herein can be compact,portable, and easy to assemble and/or set up. For example and withoutlimitation, changing the exercise device from a collapsed state, inwhich the upper support members are retracted or stowed within the lowersupport members (hereinafter, the collapsed state), to the operablestate, in which the upper support members are extended to an operableposition, can be performed simply by removing a pin or fastener fromeither or both of the lower support members (i.e., the first lowersupport member and the second lower support member), lifting orextending the upper support members (i.e., the first upper supportmember and the second upper support member), and replacing orreinserting the pin or fastener. The pin or fastener can advance throughone or more openings in the lower support members and one or moreopenings in the upper support members when the openings in the lower andupper support members are substantially aligned.

When the device is in the collapsed state, the device is compact andportable. The device can be taken with the user in his or her vehicle,recreational vehicle, car, van, truck, or otherwise so that the devicecan be used anywhere the user wishes to easily transport the device.Additionally, because the device is quickly and easily changed from acompact to an extended or operable state, the device can be stored in amuch smaller space than would be required for conventional devices. Thiscan permit the device to be easily stored in smaller spaces, such asclosets, cabinets, corners, under tables or desks, in hotel rooms, etc.

Any embodiments of the exercise device disclosed herein can be used forbar dips, pull ups, triceps extensions, and/or any other exercises orcombinations of exercises. Additionally, any embodiments can have anassistive element that can be used to make one or more of the exercisesless difficult to perform by reducing the force resulting from a bodyweight of the user. The user can use his or her feet, knees, or otherportions of the body to contact the assistive element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, thedisclosure will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the presentdisclosure will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a compact,multi-function exercise device of the present disclosure, showing theexercise device in a first, extended or partially extended state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, showing the exercise device in a second, compact state.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of the exercise device shown inFIG. 1, illustrating an embodiment of an assistive element coupled withthe lower support elements.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a user doing a body weight exercise, suchas a pull up exercise, on the device, the user having hands in a firstposition on an embodiment of a crossbar member and with his or her bodyin a first position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a user doing a body weight exercise, suchas a pull up exercise, on the device, the user having hands in a firstposition on the illustrated embodiment of the crossbar member and withhis or her body in a second position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a user doing a body weight exercise, suchas a bar dip exercise, on the device, the user having hands in a firstposition on an embodiment of a first handle member and a second handlemember, and with his or her body in a first position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a user doing a body weight exercise, suchas a bar dip exercise, on the device, the user having hands in a firstposition on an embodiment of a first handle member and a second handlemember, and with his or her body in a first position.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of another embodiment of the exercise device shownin FIG. 1, illustrating a bicycle being supported by the components ofan embodiment of a bicycle support element.

FIG. 9 is another rear view of an embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a bicycle being supported by thecomponents of another embodiment of a bicycle support element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of systems, components and methods of assembly andmanufacture will now be described with reference to the accompanyingfigures, wherein like numerals refer to like or similar elementsthroughout. Although several embodiments, examples, and illustrationsare disclosed below, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill inthe art that the inventions described herein extend beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments, examples, and illustrations and caninclude other uses of the inventions and obvious modifications andequivalents thereof, and combinations of any of the embodiments,features, and details of any of the embodiments disclosed herein withother of the embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, it should benoted that the descriptions of all of the embodiments disclosed hereinshould be interpreted to include any of the features, components, andother details of any of the other embodiments disclosed here incombination with or in the alternative to any of the features,components, and other details explicitly described herein.

Therefore, any embodiments of the reentry catheters or componentsthereof disclosed herein can have any of the features, components,and/or other details of any of the other reentry catheter embodiments orcomponents thereof disclosed herein, including the catheter embodimentsand components thereof recited in the claims, to form additionalembodiments having any combination of any of the features disclosedherein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a compact,multi-function exercise device 100 of the present disclosure that can beused for a variety of exercises. As shown in FIG. 1, the exercise deviceis in a first, extended or partially extended state. FIG. 2 is aperspective view of the embodiment of the exercise device 100 shown inFIG. 1, showing the exercise device 100 in a second, compact orcollapsed (or partially collapsed) state. Any embodiments of the devicecan be usable in both the first and second states. However, where a userdesires the upper portion of the device to be extended to a higherheight for particular exercises (such as pull-ups), the user can quicklyand easily configure the system to be in the first, extended state.

Some embodiments of the device 100 can have a base frame portion 102having a first side or portion 104 and a second side or portion 106, afirst lower support member 108 coupled with the first side 104 of thebase frame portion 102 and extending upward from the first side 104 ofthe base frame portion 102, and a second lower support member 110coupled with a second side 106 of the base frame portion 102 andextending upward from the second side 106 of the base frame portion 102when the device 100 is in an operable state.

In any embodiments, the base frame portion 102 can have a first crosssupport member 105 and a second cross support member 107 extending fromthe first side of the base frame portion 104 to the second side of thebase frame portion 106. Any of the members of the base frame portion 102or the device that are secured or securable together can be securedusing welds, fasteners, bolts, screws, brackets, or otherwise.

The device can also have a first upper support member 118 coupled withthe first lower support member 108 and a second upper support member 120coupled with the second lower support member 106. In some embodiments,at least a lower portion 118 a of the first upper support member 118 canbe slidably supported within an inside space or cavity 130 of the firstlower support member 108, and at least a lower portion 120 a of thesecond upper support member 120 can be slidably supported within aninside space or cavity 132 of the second lower support member 110.

Additionally, when the exercise device 100 is in a collapsed state, asshown in FIG. 2, the first upper support member can be almost entirelypositioned within the inside space of the first lower support member andthe second upper support member can be almost entirely positioned withinthe inside space of the second lower support member so as to minimize aheight of the device when the device is in a collapsed state. Thispermits the device 100 to be much more easily transported, stored, etc.

The first and second upper support members 118, 120 can be extended toany of a range of different heights and can be secured in place usingbolts or other fasteners, pole pins, friction locks, or otherwise. Forexample, in some embodiments, a user can simply twist one or more knobsor fasteners by hand that can tighten against the first and second uppersupport members 118, 120 to secure the first and second upper supportmembers 118, 120 at the desired heights. In some embodiments, the knobsare fasteners can tighten against a plate or other object that has alarger surface area than the end of the fastener, so as to minimize thepoint force of the fastener and distribute the force about a larger areaagainst the first and second upper support members 118, 120. The platecan have a plastic interface element to minimize denting, scratching, orother damage of the first and second upper support members 118, 120.

In any embodiments, the first upper support member 118 can beselectively securable in a plurality of positions relative to the firstlower support member 108 and the second upper support member 120 can beselectively securable in a plurality of positions relative to the secondlower support member 110 so that a height of the first and second uppersupport members 118, 120 are selectively securable in a plurality ofheights.

In any embodiments, the first and second upper support members 118, 120can be securable in a range of heights wherein the upper end portions118 b, 120 b, respectively, of the first and second upper supportmembers 118, 120 are from approximately 36 inches to approximately 96inches (inclusive) from a ground surface, or from approximately 36inches to approximately 78 inches (inclusive) from a ground surface, orfrom approximately 40 inches to approximately 72 inches (inclusive) froma ground surface, or between any values within these ranges. In anyembodiments, the device can be configured such that the first and secondupper support members 118, 120 are securable at a height in the second(extended) state wherein the upper end portions 118 b, 120 b,respectively, of the first and second upper support members 118, 120 isapproximately twice the height of the upper end portions 118 b, 120 b inthe first (collapsed) state, or from approximately 70% to approximately95% greater than, or from approximately 85% to approximately 95% greaterthan the respective height when the device is in the first state.

Locking elements, which can comprise screws, bolts, balls and detents,pins, dowels, or any other suitable securing element, can be used toselectively secure the upper support members in the desired position.The locking elements can be supported by either the upper or the lowersupport members and can engage with one or both of the upper and lowersupport members. For example and without limitation, one or more pinscan be advanced through openings in one or both of the upper and lowersupport members to secure the upper support members in the desiredposition relative to the lower support members.

Additionally, any embodiments can have a bar member 160 coupled directlyor indirectly with the first and second upper support members 118, 120.The bar member can extend across the gap between the first upper supportmember 118 and the second upper support member 120. The bar member 160can comprise a round bar that extends between the first and second uppersupport members 118, 120. Additionally, the bar member 160 can have anydesired configuration in any embodiments. For example and withoutlimitation, the bar (or any other components of the device) can be madefrom steel or any suitable metal or other material, and can beconfigured to support the body weight of any desired user. For example,the bar can be configured to support the weight of a 350 pound person,or as much as a 250 pound person, hanging from the bar.

In any embodiments (not shown), the bar member 160 can be supporteddirectly by the first and second upper support members 118, 120. Forexample, the bar member 160 can pass through openings in the first andsecond upper support members. Alternatively, the bar member 160 can besupported on a first end by a first bar support element 172 that can becoupled with the first upper support member 118 and on a second end by asecond bar support element 174 that can be coupled with the second uppersupport member 120. Locking elements which can comprise screws, bolts,pins, dowels, openings, channels, welds, and/or other suitable featurescan be used to secure the bar member in the desired position. Thelocking elements can be selectively reversible (so as to allow removaland/or repositioning of the bar member) or non-reversible.

In any embodiments, the bar member 160 can have any number of handles162 (two being shown, but can have four or more) coupled with andprojecting from a middle portion 161 of the bar member 160. As usedherein, the middle portion 161 is used to describe the portion of thebar member extending between the first upper support member 118 and thesecond upper support member 120. Additionally, any embodiments can haveend portions 164 extending laterally away from the first upper supportmember 118 and the second upper support member 120, configured tosupport the weight of the user. The end portions 164 can be angled down(as shown), horizontal, or otherwise.

Any embodiments can also have a removable, repositionable bar memberthat extends between the first side and the second side of the device atany desired height. For example and without limitation, a bar member(not shown) can extend between the first and second lower supportmembers. In this configuration, the bar member can provide structuralrigidity to the frame of the device. Additionally, the bar member inthis position or configuration can be used to support the feet of theusers so that the user can self-assist during one or more of theexercises by supporting a portion of the user's body weight with his orher feet and/or legs. Any embodiments of the bar member can beconfigured to clamp onto the lower support members, the upper supportmembers, or both. Any embodiments can have two or more, three or more,or any number of bar members.

Additionally, any embodiments of the exercise device can have first andsecond handle members 146, 148 coupled with the first and second lowersupport members 108, 110. The first and second handle members 146, 148can be configured to support a body weight of a user grasping the firstand second handle members with his or her hands and to enable the userto perform different exercises or movements as compared to the barmember 160 or other gripping points on the device 100. In someembodiments, a first and second handle members 146, 148 can be coupledwith an upper portion 108 a and an upper portion 110 a, respectively, ofthe lower support members 108, 110. The first and second handle members146, 146 can extend straight way from the lower support members, can becurved, angled, or have any other configuration.

The handle members can extend away from a front surface 108 b of thefirst lower support member 108 from a front surface 110 b of the secondlower support member 110. In any embodiments, the first and secondhandle members 146, 148 can be coupled with the lower support membersusing welds, bolts, screws, push-pins, or other suitable fasteners, pinsfitting within openings, or otherwise. For example and withoutlimitation, bolts or screws coupled with end portions of the handlemembers can be removably threadable within threaded openings in thelower support members so that the handle members can be easily andquickly assembled with the device and/or removed. Additionally, in anyembodiments, the device can be configured such that the handle memberscan be coupled with the device at any desired height or position on thelower support members, the upper support members, or otherwise. Thehandle members can also be used to secure or lock (removably lock) theupper support members in the desired height or position relative to thelower support members. For example, end portions of the handle memberscan extend into the inside space or cavity within the lower supportmembers and be engagable with openings or other features of the uppersupport members so as to selectively secure the upper support members intheir desired positions.

In any embodiments disclosed herein wherein it is described that thefirst and second handle members 146, 148 can be coupled with the lowersupport members, the handle members can alternatively be coupled withthe upper support members or any other portion of the frame or componentof the device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of the exercise device 100shown in FIG. 1, illustrating an embodiment of an assistive element 200(which can comprise two or more assistive components) coupled with thelower support elements. The assistive element or elements 200 can reducethe weight force of the user and stabilize the user during variousexercises to enable a user to perform a wider range of exercises and/orperform a higher number of repetitions of particular exercises. FIG. 6shows one example of how the assistive element 200 can be used for a bardip exercise. The same assistive element 200 can be used for many moreexercises, including pull-ups, etc.

In any embodiments, the assistive element can be removably coupled withthe lower support elements, or any other portion of the device. Forexample and without limitation, the assistive element or elements cancomprise elastic or non-elastic bands or members extending between thefirst and second lower support members, the assistive element beingconfigured to support all or a portion of a user's body weight when auser places his or her feet, shins, legs, buttocks, or other portions ofhis or her body on the assistive element. Examples of suitable elasticbands include rubber bands like those used for resistance-basedexercise, bungee cord material, or other stretchable, resilientmaterial. Examples of suitable non-elastic bands include woven rope orstrap material including nylon material, or other non-stretchablematerial.

In any embodiments, the assistive element 200 can be removablysupportable by the device. For example and without limitation, theassistive element 200 can extend between a first support element 202that can be removable or nonremovably coupled with the first lowersupport member 108 and a second support element 204 that can beremovable or nonremovably coupled with the second lower support member110. The support elements 202, 204 can be threadably coupleable with thelower support members, clamp to an outside surface of the lower supportmembers, insert into openings formed in the lower support members, orotherwise. As shown, the support elements can have flanges, lips, orenlarged portions 202 a, 204 a formed thereon to inhibit the assistiveelement 200 from sliding off of or becoming disengaged from the supportelements 202, 204.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a user doing a body weight exercise, suchas a pull up exercise, on the device, the user having hands in a firstposition on an embodiment of a crossbar member and with his or her bodyin a first position. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment ofthe exercise device shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a user doing a bodyweight exercise, such as a pull up exercise, on the device, the userhaving hands in a first position on the illustrated embodiment of thecrossbar member and with his or her body in a second position. In thisexercise, the user can repeatedly move between the lower and upperpositions to exercise the muscles of the user's body.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a user doing a body weight exercise, suchas a bar dip exercise, on the device, the user having hands in a firstposition on an embodiment of a first handle member and a second handlemember, and with his or her body in a first position. FIG. 7 is aperspective view of the embodiment of the exercise device shown in FIG.1, illustrating a user doing a body weight exercise, such as a bar dipexercise, on the device, the user having hands in a first position on anembodiment of a first handle member and a second handle member, and withhis or her body in a first position. In this exercise, the user canrepeatedly move between the lower and upper positions to exercise themuscles of the user's body.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of another embodiment of the exercise device 100shown in FIG. 1, illustrating a bicycle B being supported by anembodiment of a bicycle support 230. In any embodiments, the bicyclesupport 230 can include a bicycle support member 240 removablycoupleable with an upper support member (118 or 120) and a secondsupport bracket 242 that can be used to support a rear wheel of thebicycle.

FIG. 9 is another rear view of an embodiment of the exercise deviceshown in FIG. 1, illustrating a bicycle B being supported by thecomponents of another embodiment of a bicycle support element. As shown,the bicycle support member 240 can be at approximately the same heightas the handle member 146. In some embodiments, the same fastener used tocouple one or more of the handle members 146 to the first lower supportmember 108 can be used to couple the bicycle support member 240 to thefirst lower support member 108. In this arrangement, the bicycle can bepositioned closer to ground level. The components of the bicycle support230 can be positioned at any desired height or location on the exercisedevice desired.

The embodiments of the exercise device disclosed herein are compact andportable and can be configured to be easy to assemble and/or set up. Forexample and without limitation, changing the exercise device from acollapsed state, in which the upper support members are retracted orstowed within the lower support members (hereinafter, the collapsedstate), to the operable state, in which the upper support members areextended to an operable position, can be performed simply by removing apin or fastener from either or both of the lower support members (i.e.,the first lower support member and the second lower support member),lifting or extending the upper support members (i.e., the first uppersupport member and the second upper support member), and replacing orreinserting the pin, fastener, or other locking element when the uppersupport members are in the desired positions. As mentioned, the pin orfastener can advance through one or more openings in the lower supportmembers and one or more openings in the upper support members when theopenings in the lower and upper support members are substantiallyaligned.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of protection. Indeed, the novel methods and systems describedherein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods andsystems described herein may be made. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in theprocesses illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown inthe Figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps describedabove may be removed, others may be added. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure is intended to be defined only by reference to theclaims of the utility application. The accompanying claims and theirequivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as wouldfall within the scope and spirit of the protection. Furthermore, thefeatures and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above maybe combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all ofwhich fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Although thepresent disclosure provides certain embodiments and applications, otherembodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art,including embodiments which do not provide all of the features andadvantages set forth herein, are also within the scope of thisdisclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intendedto be defined only by reference to the appended claims or claims thatwill be added in the future.

Accordingly, although the present disclosure includes certainembodiments, examples and applications, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present disclosure extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof, includingembodiments which do not provide all of the features and advantages setforth herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is notintended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferredembodiments herein, and may be defined by claims as presented herein oras presented in the future. Finally, as used herein and unless otherwisestated, the term approximately is meant to represent a range of +/−10%of the stated value.

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the herein-described embodiments, the elements of which are tobe understood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.Moreover, any of the steps described herein can be performedsimultaneously or in an order different from the steps as orderedherein. Moreover, as should be apparent, the features and attributes ofthe specific embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in differentways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scopeof the present disclosure.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,”“might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, whileother embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/orstates. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended toimply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required forone or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

Moreover, the following terminology may have been used herein. Thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to anitem includes reference to one or more items. The term “ones” refers toone, two, or more, and generally applies to the selection of some or allof a quantity. The term “plurality” refers to two or more of an item.The term “about” or “approximately” means that quantities, dimensions,sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other characteristics neednot be exact, but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, asdesired, reflecting acceptable tolerances, conversion factors, roundingoff, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those ofskill in the art. The term “substantially” means that the recitedcharacteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, butthat deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances,measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factorsknown to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do notpreclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format.It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely forconvenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly toinclude not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limitsof the range, but also interpreted to include all of the individualnumerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if eachnumerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. As an illustration,a numerical range of “about 1 to 5” should be interpreted to include notonly the explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but shouldalso be interpreted to also include individual values and sub-rangeswithin the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range areindividual values such as 2, 3 and 4 and sub-ranges such as “about 1 toabout 3,” “about 2 to about 4” and “about 3 to about 5,” “1 to 3,” “2 to4,” “3 to 5,” etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting onlyone numerical value (e.g., “greater than about 1”) and should applyregardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics beingdescribed. A plurality of items may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary. Furthermore, where the terms “and” and “or” are used inconjunction with a list of items, they are to be interpreted broadly, inthat any one or more of the listed items may be used alone or incombination with other listed items. The term “alternatively” refers toselection of one of two or more alternatives, and is not intended tolimit the selection to only those listed alternatives or to only one ofthe listed alternatives at a time, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A compact and portable exercise device,comprising: a base frame portion; a first lower support member coupledwith a first side of the base frame portion and extending upward fromthe first side of the base frame portion; a second lower support membercoupled with a second side of the base frame portion and extendingupward from the second side of the base frame portion; a first uppersupport member coupled with the first lower support member; a secondupper support member coupled with the second lower support member; afirst handle member extending away from a front surface of the firstlower support member; a second handle member extending away from a frontsurface of the second lower support member; and a bar extending at leastbetween the first upper support member and the second upper supportmember; wherein: at least a first portion of the first upper supportmember is slidably receivable within an inside space of the first lowersupport member; at least a first portion of the second upper supportmember is slidably receivable within an inside space of the second lowersupport member; when the exercise device is in a collapsed state, thefirst upper support member is almost entirely positioned within theinside space of the first lower support member and the second uppersupport member is almost entirely positioned within the inside space ofthe second lower support member so as to minimize a height of the devicewhen the device is in a collapsed state; the first upper support memberis selectively securable in a plurality of positions relative to thefirst lower support member and the second upper support member isselectively securable in a plurality of positions relative to the secondlower support member so that a height of the first and second uppersupport members are selectively securable in a plurality of heights; andthe first and second handle members are configured to support a bodyweight of a user grasping the first and second handle members with hisor her hands and to enable the user to perform exercises.
 2. Theexercise device of claim 1, wherein a length of the first portion of theupper support member is approximately equal to a length of the firstlower support member.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein thebase frame portion comprises a first tube member extending from thefirst side of the base frame portion to the second side of the baseframe portion, a second tube member extending from the first side of thebase frame portion to the second side of the base frame portion andspaced apart from the first tube member
 4. The exercise device of claim1, wherein when the exercise device is in a collapsed state, the firstupper support member is almost entirely positioned within the insidespace of the first lower support member
 5. The exercise device of claim1, further comprising an assistance device extending between the firstlower support member and the second lower support member.
 6. Theexercise device of claim 1, further comprising an assistance deviceconfigured to support a portion of the body weight of a user when theuser's feet and/or knees are supported by the assistance device.
 7. Theexercise device of claim 1, further comprising a first brace memberextending between the first lower support member and the base frameportion.
 8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the first handlemember extends away from the front surface of the first lower supportmember near the top of the first lower support member and the secondhandle member extends away from the front surface of the second lowersupport member near the top of the second lower support member.